Thursday, May 24, 2007

So, I Have This Idea

But First, A Word of Thanks

Your messages about the arrival of Abigail have been icing on the cake, a delight to me and to my entire family. Thank you all so much for taking the time to write words of encouragement and congratulations.

I can't wait to record my impressions of the new arrival after our first opportunity to meet in person, which is scheduled for next week. (Note to Susan and Phil: Auntie Dolores is coming with me. Please tie up the dogs so we don't have a repeat of the Christmas Eve incident.)

Oh–And a Word About the Shawl

I've tried four or five approaches to writing a nice, fat entry about the christening shawl and admit defeat. The fact is, even if I had hours to style a good photograph it would still only look like a pile of string. Since it's on a circular needle, I can't spread it out to show you details.

So, a mere slip of an update. I've nearly finished the main portion of the border, which is worked in the diamonds-and-mesh pattern I showed you last time. Then there will be a narrow strip of buttercups on a stockinette ground. Then, and I can scarcely imagine it, I will work the edging.

At the moment, it feels as though I were born knitting this piece, and that in my next incarnation I will emerge still clutching it.

Now, the Idea

Ages ago a photographer who was acting as my mentor encouraged me to take on a large project, something that:

could not be completed in a month;

was outside the normal scope of my work; and

that pushed one or more of my fear buttons.

I decided to undertake an ambitious portrait series: 1,000 gay men from Chicago. I still think the idea has merit, but the logistics have proved beyond my ability. For every man who has agreed to sit for my camera, there have been ten who:

consider themselves model material and feel I should pay them a sitting fee plus royalties,

are really looking to live out a sex-with-the-photographer fantasy, or

back out at the last minute because, suddenly, they feel fat.

At this rate, I'll drop dead before I have thirty images.

But I'm still fascinated with the idea of capturing concretely something as nebulous and ephemeral as a community. And last week, as I was lying in bed contemplating mortality, the ill-fated portrait project intersected with an essay I've just recorded for Brenda Dayne's podcast, and a new idea emerged.

Beginning today, I'm seeking anyone who self-identifies as a knitter to become part of The Thousand Knitters Project. Here are the particulars:

Subjects will be photographed anywhere from half- to full-length, displaying a work-in-progress or finished object.

There will be no payment for sitting, but subjects will be given either an electronic file or a finished 8"x10" print.

Individual sittings will take no longer than 15 minutes.

The portraits will be assembled for display in at least an electronic venue (i.e., Web site), and other formats depending on how the project evolves.

All subjects will be asked to sign a standard model release, giving me permission to use the images in my work and waiving the right to compensation.

Subjects can (and I hope, will) be any and every age, shape, size, race, religion, gender, orientation, nationality. The only thing that matters is that you knit and/or crochet.

For the time being, sittings will take place in Chicago, so you'd need to be able to get here. If this takes off, we'll see about shooting in other cities.

Yes, if you crochet or spin, you're welcome to join in. But I have to draw the line somewhere, so let's wait see how this goes and then maybe I can get to the quilters and the cross-stitchers and...

Knitters have always given, and still give, so much to the world. But with a very few exceptions they are lost to history. Let's see if, in some small way, we can change that.

Interested? Write to me at portraits at franklinhabit daht cahm with the subject line "1,000." That's it, just "1,000." I'll be using the subject line to pre-sort the messages, so please be sure to use the correct subject. Give me some idea of when you might be available and we'll go from there.

And one more thing: If possible, I'd love to tap into the crowds coming in for Stitches Midwest. If you'll be a vendor at the market, and are willing to discuss the possibility of allowing me space to set up a chair and small backdrop–about as much as you'd need for a book signing–contact me at franklin at franklinhabit daht cahm. In return, I could offer advertising, photography, and possibly some monetary compensation.

*Not a ground-breaking idea; Richard Avedon's American West series is my inspiration.

103 comments:

What a beautiful idea! I have no reason to come to Chicago, but if life sends me that way, I'll be sure to let you know. Alternatively, if you end up coming to the Denver area for any reason, let me know and I'll round up some knitters for you. (Not that I'm your only reader in this area, but I know a lot of people).

This will be a wonderful project. If you really want to chronicle knitters for posterity, how about coming up with some photo parameters and letting us e-mail (or snail mail) you photos? You'd still be stepping WAY out of the box because you'd probably receive many more than the 1,000 of your current goal, and you'd still have to arrange and display the photos in some way, so the time factor is still a daunting one. While I would dearly love to come to Chicago to sit for you, as would many others, it's probably not in the cards anytime in the foreseeable future.

Another thought -- knit shops in some of the larger cities might be willing to pay your expenses to come there. The shop could arrange the photo shoot for you, and you also could give a lecture, read an essay, teach a class, do a demo, or something. For a place like String in NYC, for example, it would bring tons of people into the shop (because you know ALL knitters want to meet you!) and you'd have an opportunity to photograph "alien" knitters (i.e., knitters from outside Chicago). Good luck with the project!

We may one day make it through Chicago, probably next summer, but if you are visiting in the mid Atlantic before then, we would also travel. The sooner the better to get the now-five-year-old knitter, if you really want all ages.

I'm loving the Abigail pictures. A newborn is my favorite sort of person (says the former newborn nursery nurse). Congratulations to Sister Sue and family.

Very nice - I'm on the west coast, so if you need to widen your horizons, let me know - be happy to be photographed. I'm sure, though, with the millions of knitters out there, you will not have any trouble finding subjects. Can't want to see the project progress.

I love the idea of you doing a LYS tour. Delores could do a reading! When you get to Philly you are welcome to stay here. My craft room turns into a guest room, so you could sleep surrounded by shelves of yarn and fulfill your fantasy of waking up in an LYS!

Of course you started your knitter series at Camp last summer... and the knit-ins. There is the Niece Abigail series... Your shawl may appear but a pile of string...yet such beauty and love are enveloping each twist and turn...

Great idea! I wish I lived in Chicago. If it expands out from Chicago I would love to be included. No big deal that the its not an original idea...artists...steal...umm mean borrow from one another all the time. :-D

I have needed people to model for me for a series of drawings and paintings I have wanted to do for years but its been put on the side for some of the same reasons you detailed. I am always willing to help another artist out with their vision.

Isn't it funny (not funny ha ha...but funny interesting) how we can group ourselves into sometimes identifying ourselves in one manner, and maybe not forget but sort not allow ourselves to meld all identities....don't know if that makes sense....just something I thought about reading your comment about not just being a part of just one community.

Puerto Rican, yarn addict, 42, transplanted New Yorker, retired miliatry, living out west here. Keep me in mind if you need more!

Congratulations on becoming an Uncle. I also think the knitter idea is fabulous. Did you ever consider taking 1,000 pictures of knitter hands? I'd be interested in seeing that, too. Might you post them gradually (possibly to flickr?) so we can appreciate them in small lots and tag our own favorite knitter people portraits?

Ooof! I just had to sit for an ID badge photo at work today. (I broke my old badge, somehow.) The supply dept. guy didn't seem too excited about my portrait-sitting skills ("You know, you CAN smile for this!") So I'm bowing out now, or you can change it to the 999 Knitter's Project. Trust me, I'm doing you a favor!

signed,I know this was pretty silly, but I hope you don't mind (but it's the truth about the badge thing)

So, you have this idea, and I got all choked up. Beautiful! And dammit, I'll probably never hit Chicago again in my lifetime. (Never thought I'd ever get that far east in my life. [g] Doubt I'll make it a second time.) May you get tons of volunteers and a gallery showing!

Sadly I will not be going anywhere near Chicago in this lifetime, but perhaps we can slip you airplane tickets to MD S&W next year and you can photograph a zillion knitters in one fell swoop. 8-) One other interesting idea I have seen is to photograph knitters hands knitting. There are so many different styles.

Good luck on the shawl edging, I bet you finish before I do. 8-)

Tell Dolores to behave or you'll go borrow a border collie. She'll probably be down at the Snort and Tipple wetting Abigail's head anyway.

I live in Ohio. It's not that far. I could actually make it to Chicago for my ten minutes of knitterly fame (as long as it doesn't require traveling over the infamous Skyway Bridge). I love the idea posed to have yarn shops hosting photo shoots to pay your expenses. We have a fantastic LYS nearby and it is run by two gay men who I'm sure would be glad to be included (covers both of your missives).

I think this is a great idea. Many of us are hesitant for some reason to show our faces on our blogs. It will be neat to see so many people being photographed because of who they are rather than something they did. Plus, imagine the book tour.

Damn, I'd love to participate in this. I could bring the first sweater I ever knitted and you could photograph me scarecrow-stanced, dolefully comparing the left side's bat-wing sleeve with the right's fitted sleeve (jiggered if I can figure out how that happened...). However, I don't fit the location requirement - Wagga is quite a ways from Chicago. Good luck with this assignment and good luck with the shawl. I have a scarf that feels the same.

This is one of the coolest ideas I've heard in a long time. I think you're right about knitter's being lost (mostly) to obscurity and that's a damn shame cause we are some of the most interesting people. Don't live in Chicago, but I'd pose if I did.

Brilliant idea, and you can probably (of you want to) develop it into a book. And really, Franklin, you write so damned freaking well that why not develop it into a book? Unless, of course, you hate that idea.

I am too far from Chicago to participate personally, but if you should happen to need a NYC correspondent/sous photographer, let me know. Have Nikon will hit the pavement (my feet, not the camera) (heaven forfend).

PS. I just realized that was silly of me - of course you don't want a sous-photographer. It is your project, and your photos are the whole point of the endeavor. I just got excited about the concept and was wishing there was some way to assist. How about a cheering section instead? Go Franklin go!

And I have been trying to send post about the baby but I didn't came through. My topic for uncle's is: spoil the baby as much as you can! Take always chocolatebars and other sweets with you, in discusions with the parents about the child always choose the site of the child because that's what uncles are for!!! And knit her when she is 4 years old a beautiful PINK princess dress!!!

That is a terrific idea. I'm actually the only knitter I know. The idea of seeing 1,000 other real people (you know what I mean, people who actually do knit and aren't just using needles as a prop) who have this in common is amazing to me. The baby is beautiful, beautiful.

It's a shame that your first idea failed for those particular reasons. I'd feel honoured if asked to be part of a work of art. The knitters portraits is a similarly fabulous project. Unfortunately I'm in the UK, so can't participate in this version. Tomme's suggestion that you find some way of accepting our own photos of us is equally interesting but different. a way of capturing? presenting? the diversity of knitters. Perhaps a gallery would take it.

in my next incarnation I will emerge still clutching it(knitting). Oooh, Franklin, I love this concept! I am an embrio yoga teacher just learning the philosophy. Reincarnation will be so much less scary if I can take my knitting with me!

If you need a girl, in her 20s, who lives in Chicago and has quite the mohawk (who happens to be rams' daughter, by the way), I'd love to help you with your project! I'm not sure how to get ahold of you but feel free to e-mail me at kat.ramsey@hotmail.com

I think I should bring up a road trip conversation at SnB, I get the Toronto gals in gear. The harlot has to show me her beloved bean, and I need to see my O'keefes. Love me some Georgia. We may need a yarn crawl though. When When When....

Well who wouldn't want to be a part of that? Let me know if you decide to road-trip this project to San Francisco and I'll round up a few of the more interesting specimens from the local knitting herd. We'll bring the snacks and martini fixin's. Olives or onions?

I can't wait to see the finished exhibit.You might try getting to the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair in Crystal Lake, July 20-22. It seems like a good fit and you would get a head start before Stitches.

I totally forgot about the Christmas trip . . . thanks for the reminder. I hope this trip goes better!

I too am a woman of color . . . of course, my color is sort of pink with freckles and old age splotchy things.

And while I would love to come to Chicago, I do not see it anytime in the near future. But, if you ever make to Cleveland and are interested in photographing a not so photogenic, pinkish, freckled, splotchy person, let me know.

Seriously, the not so photogenic part is totally serious. After the last vacation, I systematically deleted all photos with me in them. I have themost photogenic family and then there is "moi."

I love the idea of this, but I'm not anywhere near Chicago. But if you're ever in Boston, put me on your list. Arranging this thru popular Yarn Stores might be a great idea and you'll meet & photograph plenty of knitters there. I hang out at Seed Stitch Fine Yarn in Salem, MA ;-)

I don't think you'll have a problem getting knitters to work for you. The hard part will be fending off the over-enthusiastic. I'm unable to travel to Chicago but if you're in Portland OR you'll find plenty of locations for knitterly shots. The roses are spectacular this year.

I understand that purpose of the journy to Maine is to become acquainted with one of our newest residents, however, could you be in the general vicintiy without stopping by Halcyon Yarn? And wouldn't that be a grand place for some photos? Say the word (and perhaps mention it to the folks at Halcyon)and you will have many volunteers!

Traveling around the country taking pictures of knitters and investigating yarn stores would be tax-deductible as a work expense, wouldn't it? We'd love to see you in Boston and make some new memories! And why would 1000 gay men push your fear button??? Sue F.

I hate being the focus of a camera but I think this is a wonderful idea! and if I was wonderously rich I would come - and sit for the photo no matter how much I would hate it and also revisit Chicago - which is on my dream list....

I live in a very beautiful section of southern Rhode Island - drop dead beautiful beaches and glorious white sand! My friends and I knit by the sea all summer long! If you get wanderlust we would love to share the ocean, knitting and drinks with you... and since one of my children share your Cambridge alma mater with you, I would love to have you stay with my husband and me for a glorious stitch -in!Sounds like an exciting project - good luck - I'll be watching your progress and keeping my fingers crossed for you until you cross the victory line!

And since I come to Chicago fairly often to visit my nieces, I'd love to be part of the project. Come to think of it, my oldest niece is also a knitter (we're still working on the other two). So if you'd like to include some kids. . .

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